Category: Car news

New Bentley Continental GT

Following the success of the past two models, Bentley, master craftsmen of bespoke road lounges to the well-off, has reinvented the Continental GT to create what they call the “Definition of Grand Touring”. The new Bentley Continental GT is based on an all new Volkswagen-Audi Group MSB platform, much like the one used to underpin the latest Porsche Panamera.

The largest differences in terms of the design elements of the GT are the elements drawn from the EXP 10 Speed 6 Concept car. The front end takes heavily from this, making use of the same sleek clean cut lines and overall shape while making use of the latest in lighting technology in the form of LED Matrix Headlights with integrated Crystals to ensure light is transferred in the most efficient way, providing intense frontal illumination. At the rear, the most important change would be the move to the rounder style of the tail lights that feature the same Crystal integration. The vehicle’s lines are less muscular and are sharper and acute, more in line with the coupe nature of the GT and in fact the essence of EXP 10 which has been transferred in this model, a clear contrast when compared to the older model.

Whats New?

The New GT is very much a new project and has received a ground up re-envisioning, and as such has received Audi Group’s 48V electrical system, dubbed Bentley Dynamic Ride, which powers the anti-roll bars and a new three-chamber air spring suspension system that has a greater volume with the aim of increasing both vehicle comfort and dynamics when pressing on, thus ensuring that this is still a properly capable sports car. In line with the move to more modern and lightweight vehicle design, Bentley has made use of lightweight aluminium on the exterior panelling, resulting in an 85kg weight saving.

Drivetrain

Powering the GT is the hand crafted 6.0 Litre Twin-turbo W12 engine lifted from the Bentayga, offering 467 kW @ 6 000 rpm and 900 N.m from 1 350 rpm to 4 500 rpm. These figures are good for properly fast figures of 0-100 km/h in 3.7 secs and a top speed of 333 km/h. In the interest of efficiency, new additions include cylinder deactivation and the use of Stop/Start technology.

Technology

In the pursuit of the creation of the most bespoke product possible, Bentley have thrown an extensive list of technology and innovation at the new GT with the interior receiving a key new feature in form of the new 12.3” Bentley Rotating Display, which serves as the main control means of the dashboard navigation, media and telephone and infotainment. While it’s the same unit to be found in the new Panamera and Upcoming Cayenne, it benefits from a unique-to-Bentley software with gamefication etc. This is complemented with a digital and configurable dashboard, a concept similar to Audi’s Virtual Cockpit. Other additions are the option of Three sound systems; the standard 10-speaker 650 Watt Bentley unit and a Bang & Olufsen system featuring 16 speakers with a 16-channel 1 500 Watt amplifier and the first automotive application of the BeoSonic control interface, which doesn’t mean much to most but I’d imagine is great. The top spec Naim system features an ear drum piercing 2 200 Watt and includes 18 speakers and two Active Bass Transducers.

The list of driver aids is very long and encompasses a lot of passive and active features such as High Beam Assist, Blind Spot Warning up-to 250 km/h, Exit Warning which warns vehicle occupants of objects approaching from the rear when opening the doors, optional City Specification including Traffic Sign Recognition, Rear Crossing, Traffic Warning, Park Assist, Adaptive Cruise Control, Lane Assist Night Vision and a Heads Up Display.

2018 Bentley Continental GT pricing in South Africa.

While international orders have begun, there is no word yet on pricing but expect the first examples to land in early 2018.

TheMotorist Attends the South African Motoring Experience 2017

Following a turn-out of 51 000 patrons last year, Kyalami Proves year and year again to be the hub of all motoring shenanigans. 2017’s Festival was different to the years past given the strange partnership with a Boat show, which was ‘same, same but different’; although it was the Motoring Experience S opposed to the Festival of Motoring, which only takes place every second year. Nevertheless, the boats were still a very popular attraction and reminded many that boats are rather cool. The largest attraction without a doubt was the Pit Lane, test drives and ride alongs which allowed for anyone off the street to have either the experience of driving some of their favourite cars on the track or have the trained drivers hurl them around at breakneck speeds. Unsurprisingly the waits were long and plentiful but warranted by the smiles on hundreds of faces afterwards, suggesting that this was all worth it.

Personally, the long quest for smiles proved a bit too daunting and I opted for a ride in the more exclusive stuff that I hadn’t yet sampled namely the Lexus LC 500 on a track which was a rather enlightening experience with the GT being a lot less luxury cruiser and more Apex bruiser on the track. The space in the rear was not amazing and more so when you have a racing driver attacking Sunset Corner at 180km/h plus and your face feels like it’s coming off, and knees rather numb. The was the usual mix of V8 Jags and Range Rovers, AMG Merc’s, fast VW’s and RS Audi’s to sample around the track but no BMW – partly due large to their own exclusive M Festival next month and the presence of new faces to the festival’s Pit area. The likes of Suzuki, BAIC, Haval and even Peugeot’s 3008 SUV were taking to the track, all of whom offering the chance to sample a track driving experience and most importantly for the manufacturer, a chance to drive their latest products. Having again sampled the larger portion of their offerings, the three the stand out model for me by-in-large the Haval H6 and H6C, which for a Chinese entry into the market is really impressive, good road manners, good power and even when kicked around on a track still proved well put together with no rattles or squeaks to my nit-picking ears. Another surprise was the debut of the BAIC X25, which again drove rather well, and this was a view few shared me and the drivers. There was a fair amount of shove from the 85 kW-1.5 Litre engine, enough to make the drive fun enough on track but again I was surprised at the level of refinement, both in the chassis and in the interior, proving that the Chinese are most defiantly upping their game in terms of vehicle manufacturing.

Moving around the festival, there was much to see from all the manufacturers; interactive experiences of active safety systems, tandem attacks at the Skid pan and even Aerobatics stunts from the very loud Puma Energy stunt planes. Cell C’s Supercar Zone was another clear favourite with the presence of a rather young looking man in a suit with the keys to Aston’s DB11 and a Malaren 570S. The Suited Youth would turn them on and allow for rev’s and pictures in the machines, much to the approval of the crowd. In the same room was Bentley’s new Continental GT Speed, an Aventador S, and and R8 V10 Sypder, all in bright colours aside from the black 911 Turbo hidden in the corner.

4X4 Fans were not forgotten as a short shuttle ride took you to the mud and dust where the diff locks and hill descent controls were more important. Providing an in-depth look into the more slow paced stuff, where speed is not the objective. On showcase was the New Pajero Sport, which was highly capable on the track and yet still rather well appointed and less rudimentary than the previous models. With striking looks and very clear off-road ability and comfort, it’s an interesting alternative to the likes of the Toyota Fortuner and Ford Everest. The 4×4 track was rather tricky and difficult with all kinds of grip testing and axle twisting stuff and the likes of the VW Amarok V6, Nissan Navara and the G range of Mercedes-Benz SUV’s, with the exclusion of the tamer GLC and GLA. The Renault Duster made an appearance and proved it’s not as soft as one would think but lacking in low-range and hill-descent control, and instead of a very skillfully footed instructor and a slightly different track with only the Plucky little Suzuki Jimny keeping up with the behemoths that were the double cabs and Diff-look toting SUV’s.

In the various rooms and looking points, the list of exotic cars and classics that we saw last year was not as extensive with no ‘Porsche Room’ and 918’s just a hall with exhibitors trying to sell you car related stuff at inflated prices, like an Automotive rand show, well I thought this until I saw a few classic Ferrari’s Like the 264 Gt Dino and older brother 308 GT4. Race 1 brought a large collection of wide-body super and hyper-cars, but overall internally not as great as 2016.

Overall, this year’s festival as a day out in the sun with the family or as the group of enthusiasts is an ideal way of spending your day if you like keeping up to date with the trends of the motoring world. I wouldn’t miss it at all but as always, the rather lengthy queues in the pits, even from as early as 10 am, do mean you must be rather patient if you want a ride around the track but for the experience, it’s difficult to rival. If I was to break it down in terms of highlights, low lights and a numerical rating out of 10, it would be simple, The KIA Stinger 3.3-litre twin-turbo V6 coupe on the track and the ever developing Chinese were standouts for me, as were the dynamics of the X25 BIAC and H6 Haval and 2018 Nissan 370Z which is rather dated but still quick. The Lengthy queues and pricey vendors of refreshments no so much but forgivable, overall a solid 8 from The Motorist.

The next event will be the BMW M Festival in October and we’ll most definitely be there, providing the ins and outs to the happenings of the day.

New Porsche Cayenne & Cayenne S Released

Porsche is one brand that I personally love but really will never understand. They make the greatest cars and they are a perfect example of great European engineering, with regards to precision, attention to detail and that fabled thing called German engineering. The latest Cayenne does follow a similar design pattern to that of the previous models, and by similar we mean nearly identical, but as they say, if it isn’t broken, don’t fix it and the Cayenne has always been a good looking vehicle.

Meet the new third generation Porsche Cayenne SUV. One has to remind themselves of the fact that the Porsche Cayenne is still the most capable SUV’s ON the road, and this newest model is all about being the most dynamic, large SUV. This can be believed due to the sporty prowess the current Cayenne adopts, despite its size. In the third generation, Porsche have used more aluminum and a smaller body frame, meaning the total weight is now just under 2 tonnes at 1985 kg which is around 65 kg less than its predecessor.

The standard variant of the new Cayenne is available with a 3-litre turbocharged engine producing 250 kW and 450 N.m of torque, with performance figures standing at 0-100km/h in 6.2 seconds. One up from this, the new Cayenne S model will use the same motor as the Panamera S – a 2.9-litre twin-turbocharged V6 kicking out 324 kW and 550 N.m of torque. These figures result in a 100kmh dash of 5.2 seconds, just in case you were interested.

Porsche’s new Cayenne needs to be more comfortable than anything else, all while keeping everything tidy when it comes to the twisties. Porsche’s new 4D Chassis Control makes this possible. New adaptive dampers are also standard on the Cayenne S, and an optional extra on the standard Cayenne model. For increased high speed maneuverability, the Cayenne S is now also available with rear-wheel steering-just in case you’re late for your sons soccer game.

We mentioned earlier that the new Cayenne follows a very similar design theme to the previous gen models, with the minor differences being new front air intakes and rear taillights.More significant changes can be found in the interior and the new Cayenne takes much from the Panamera with a new 12.3 inch infotainment system, analogue digital dial pack and a touch sensitive center console. The original Cayenne trademark vertical outer vents remain as is. Of course, Porsche build quality is a given with this new interior set to be of an even higher standard than the outgoing model.

Pricing isn’t available at this time but the new Porsche Cayenne is set to drop in South Africa in June 2018.

Mercedes-Benz C-Class Edition C

What does one do when they want their new car to look and feel like the powerful, top of the range model, but just can’t reach the lofty price tag? Well, Mercedes-Benz seems to have the answer, it’s called the C-Class Edition C.

Edition C is a new and unique model added to the C-Class range offering luxury trim lines and options for exterior and interior, providing more individuality and sportiness.

Exterior

The exterior of the Mercedes-Benz C-Class Edition C features the AMG sports package, including 18-Inch 5 Spoke Light Alloys and full LED Headlamps and rear tail lights. Further to this, sports suspension comes standard to emphasise the sporty drive.

Interior

The interior of Edition C has been based upon Mercedes-Benz’s luxury Avantgarde line. A trim of open-pore black ash and aluminium grace the interior, with a flat-bottomed sports steering wheel finishing things off. For added appeal, interior features such as ambient lighting are included to go along with comfort options such Active Park Control and the Electronic Mirror Package.

The edition C is available across the whole sedan range for both petrol and diesel variants. If you are looking at purchasing a C-Class but fancy something a little different without the price tag of an AMG Variant, then the Edition C could be right up your alley!

The Abarth 695 Rivale.

As a tribute to the relationship between Carlo Abarth and Riva, ironically by the same name, the Abarth boffins – responsible for all the “spirited” Fiats have taken to the 695 to create the devilishly rare Rivale. Resembling the “Beauty Line” Riva yacht it adorns a two-tone Riva Sera Blue and Shark Grey coat with a double aquamarine stripe that runs the length of the body.

A glance at the fact sheet provides evidence that the Rivale draws more from the likes of a racing catamaran, rather than the flamboyant cruiseliners playboy millionaires land their helicopters on. From a tiny 1368cc motor and the aid of an equally sized turbocharger, it’s good for 134 kW and 250 N.m. These are seriously impressive numbers from the little fighter and in turn, make it a 6.7 second 0-100 km/h sprinter with enough gusto to take you all the way to 225 km/h. To reign in all these sea-horses, the addition of Brembo 4-piston brakes up front will ensure more than enough stopping power for the Rivale, but starting up again will be made all the more sweeter through a twin-exit Akrapović exhaust system with carbon tail pipes.

Satin finishes, commemoratory logos and customised elements combined with the new 17” Supersport lightweight wheels enhance the aggression and dynamic prowess that the sporty little motor has, and with a Koni suspension and the FSD – Frequency-selective dampening system – it promises a drive just as good as it looks.
The interior will feature the highest level of standard spec in the Abarth 695 range, featuring a 7” HD touch screen Uconnect Infotainment system, hand-finished blue and black leather front seats, carbon fibre kick plates, and the option of having a dashboard in either carbon fibre or mahogany. A centre console-mounted plaque below the handbrake will indicate build number, and on request can have the name of one’s Yacht inscribed – Nice!

Abarth 695 Rivale in South Africa

Only 175 hatches and 175 cabriolets of the Abarth 695 Rivale will come to being, 20 of which have been allocated to the South African market. No prices have been released at this stage but given it’s a rather rare little motor with tremendous looks and a firecracker of an engine, its price probably won’t be as good looking.

South African Car News: BMW 2 Series Facelift

The task of face lifting a vehicle is a tricky one, you see, give the patient a completely new face and you just damn all owners of the current model by throwing their resale value out the proverbial window, but tweak a light and add a paintjob and a rimjob here and there and you’re basically just wasting everyone’s time. So, how has BMW done, then, with the facelifted 2 Series and M2?

Not an ugly car at all, the 2 Series still has quite a bit of longevity in its frisky yet elegant lines, however, in true BMW fashion, while only minor, the updates make quite the difference when all added together. This isn’t to say that the 2 Series was designed with faults or bits that might age more than others, but the LCI (Life-cycle Impulse) which is just BMW speak for facelift, gives the manufacturer a chance to improve aspects of the vehicle which they feel consumers may or may not have asked for. So, without turning this into an essay, the following are changes which one can expect on the 90210ed BMW 2 Series and M2 models.

New headlight and taillight clusters incorporating redesigned LED signatures and varying trim options ie: blacked out surrounds etc. and LED lighting as standard

Redesigned, wider kidney grill

Larger lower air-intakes on the front bumper

Three new colours, namely: Mediterranean Blue and Seaside Blue, as well as a Beverley Hills appropriate Sunset Orange. Buyers can now choose from 12 colours – what a time to be alive!

16, 17 and 18-inch wheels are now available across the ​range with Jet Black and Bicolour Jet Black wheels now available, bringing the number of rim options to 17.

A redesigned and more pronounced instrument cluster which is more driver-focussed (as opposed to passenger focussed?)

Upgraded and more premium interior finishes which just further enhance the premium feel within the cabin of the 2 Series and M2, including upgraded materials and chrome bits.

The latest version of iDrive can also be found on derivatives specced with the Navigation Professional system, this going hand in hand with the new 8.8-inch touchscreen display.

WiFi connectivity for up to 10 devices and a wireless phone charger

The engine line-up is set to remain the same as the current line-up with petrol and diesel engines ranging from 135 kW and 270 N.m in the 220i to 250 kW and 500 N.m in the M240i. The M2, too, remains unchanged, churning out 272 kW and 465 N.m (500 N.m on overboost) from its TwinPower 3.0-litre turbocharged straight-six motor.
So then, have BMW succeeded in maintaining resale values while giving the range a worthwhile refresh? Well, the facelifted 2 Series launches overseas in July 2017 so expect local availability towards the second half of 2017 – then we’llbe able to answer that question!

2017 Honda Civic Type R Nurburgring Record

When we were given the chance to sample the Honda Civic Type R last year, we were all completely astounded by how engaging and raw it was. What Honda had created was a sheer masterpiece in front-wheel drive performance and bore little resemblance to Nora, Albert, Rita and the rest of the bridge club’s favourite runabout – the Honda Civic. Sure you could spot a Civic somewhere beneath the garish wing and blacked out wheels, but these two cars really could not have been further apart. Not only did this vehicle find favour with just about everyone who drove it, it also set an astounding lap time around the Nordschleife, beating the previous FWD champion and setting a blistering time of 07:50.63.

Here we are in 2017 and having had its trophy snatched away by the Golf GTI Clubsport S in 2016, the Type R has returned with a vengeance. Featuring the same 2.0-litre turbocharged four-cylinder motor found in the previous generation Civic Type R, the unit now produces 236 kW but the same 400 N.m as before, all this thanks to a bit of an ECU tune and a snazzy new exhaust which actually makes it sound a bit like a 5-pot, mmmmm. You can have a listen to that at the end of this video.

The new chassis also means an increase in torsional rigidity of an impressive 38% and the torsional beam rear setup of the old Type R is gone, having now been replaced by an independent, multi-link system. What this brings to the tea party is much improved stability and control at speed, as well as a lower, wider and longer wheelbase.

Having set a record time of 07:43.80, it is clear that all of those little upgrades have done their job – it shaved some 3 seconds off the time of the Clubsport S.

Now all that’s left to do is wait for it to arrive in South Africa which should be during the course of 2018. So, in what colour will you be having yours, then?

South African Car News: Mercedes-Benz GLA Facelift

The GLA has been a love/hate car since its launch in 2013. Some didn’t know how to place it, is it an SUV? Or simply a larger A Class? Mercedes can confirm that it is indeed a compact SUV, positioning itself in a competitive market since sedans are “so yesterday”. So what are the notable changes in the new GLA?

Of course exterior changes have been made. However subtle they are, the new look makes the car have a more aggressive presence. Lighting systems have a come a long way and the new GLA is an example of that. There is a choice of what Mercedes calls LED High Performance head lamps. This lighting system replaces the Bi-Xenon headlamps and is meant to replicate daylight in terms of temperature, helping the driver alleviate stress on the eyes at night. The rear taillights are also brightness adjustable, brighter in the day, dimmer at night and dimmest at standstill so as to not fry the eyes of other drivers.

Other technology included in the new GLA is a 360 degree camera and an 8 inch infotainment system. Chrome accents have been added to certain interior items, making things look bolder for those who have a hawk eye. Three lines are available, Style, Urban and AMG. Different packages can also be chosen in the car, making your GLA unique.

Under the bonnet there is the choice two petrol engines, the 200 and 250 4MATIC. As well as two diesels, the 220 d and the 220 d 4MATIC.This obviously excludes the range topping Mercedes-AMG GLA 45 4MATIC. This variant now features the upgraded 2.0 litre turbocharged engine which produces 280kW/ 475Nm. Adding to the power-plant are options which make the GLA 45 more sporty. For instance, the AMG DYNAMIC PLUS package comes with a host of features to aid performance and grip. A locking front diff, AMG RIDE CONTROL sports suspension and a RACE program ensure that the driver remains thrilled and confident behind the wheel. Aiding convenience, all GLA models can be fitted with a HANDS FREE ACCESS system. This system gives you keyless access into the car, making it better for those days when you’re hands are full. For the longer drives, a standard feature called Active Brake Assist is equipped. If you’re tired and don’t notice that you’re about to rear end someone, the car will use sensors to do it for you. This of course comes in very handy to avoid accidents and black eyes.

Overall the updated GLA looks good. It was the one of the older cars in the stable, so a facelift is welcome. As previously mentioned this segment continues to boom, so consumers now have another toy to play with. Pricing for the car is as follows:

South African Car News: Volvo V90 Cross Country

We at The Motorist love a good wagon and the only thing we love more than a wagon is a wagon that can do more than just carry things and look cool. Take the Audi RS6 for instance – not only does it look tit, it’ll also give many super car owners a serious fright, all while carrying a moth eaten lamp and a hound or two – it’s brilliant! Unfortunately for us wagon lovers, South African buyers seem to have a penchant for crossovers and as a result, there are very few wagons on sale here. Motoring journalists left, right and centre can’t praise the station wagon enough, but hey, what do we know?

Luckily for us, the king of wagon makers has decided that while there might not be much of a market in South Africa for the V90, the Cross Country variants have always seemed to do quite well here and as such, the V90 Cross Country will be on sale here. Both Mercedes-Benz and Audi make raised versions of their big wagons, namely The Mercedes-Benz E-Class All-Terrain and Audi A6 Allroad, but the E-Class will not be making its way here and the A6 Allroad is no longer on sale in SA. So what does that mean for the V90 Cross Country?

Well, it doesn’t really have any competition in its own segment…but even if it did, it would have little to worry about. It’s gorgeous. Like, properly good looking and for some reason, the black plastic bits and rugged additions to the 90 Cluster’s sleek and luxurious lines come together really nicely. You get the feeling that rather than jacking up the ride-height and forgetting to paint a few bits, the V90 CC’s designers have thought long and hard about what the buyer wants, and how they can provide them with this in a typically Volvo fashion.

The first crossover to be based on Volvo’s SPA (Scalable Product Architecture) platform, the V90 CC promises a blend of off-road capability, but, in a “most elegant, sophisticated, tailored wagon suit.” The very words of Thomas Ingenlath, the man responsible for the recent spate of automotive pornography coming out of Sweden.

Interior trims differ to those on offer in the rest of the 90 Cluster with trim options such us Black Walnut for that manly and rugged look. Grrr.

A nice option to tick is the unique Adventure Pack which has been created especially for South African Buyers and offers a host of lifestyle-oriented extras, bristling with value. Included in the Adventure Pack are, amongst others, the panoramic 360-degree surround view camera, auto-dimming mirrors all-round, integrated compass, powered folding rear seats, air suspension and the 230V power outlet – all geared towards improving those out-of-town weekend adventures and typical holiday drives through the country.

Pricing for the Volvo V90 Cross Country starts at R770 900 for the T5 Geartronic AWD Momentum and stretches to a not too heady R921 300 for the T6 Geartronic AWD Inscription. All models come standard with a 5-year/100 000 km vehicle warranty, full maintenance plan and roadside assistance, as well as ant-smash and grab glass and Tracker connect as standard.

The new Volvo V90 Cross Country range begins at R770 900 for the T5 Geartronic AWD Momentum, and ends with the T6 Geartronic AWD Inscription at R921 300.

Keep an eye out for an in-depth review of the Volvo V90 Cross Country in the coming month.

All models come standard with a 5-year/ 100 000 km full vehicle warranty, full maintenance plan and roadside assistance, as well as laminated glass and Tracker Connect as standard.

South African Car News: Updated Kia Soul

In September 2016 we saw the unveiling of the updated Kia Soul, a unique looking vehicle in the crossover segment. The updated Soul receives some minor updates which include a re-styling of the front and rear bumpers. There are also changes to the front headlights and rear fog lights. The updates to the interior the Soul are also minimal with a few different trim options and designs

The bigger news is that there is a new entry-level variant in the Kia Soul range – the Soul 1.6 CRDi START which features a turbodiesel engine producing 94 kW and 260 N.m of torque. Deputy Managing Director Gary Scott claims that the new turbodiesel Soul 1.6 START is “probably the best-built, most spacious and well-specced diesel crossover below R400,000”

This a bold statement, but the Kia Soul START does feature a good host of options as standard, such as Bluetooth connectivity, six speakers, central locking, a rear-view camera and electric windows front and rear just to name a few – not bad for R329 000.

Full Kia Soul Range

There are six variants in the KIA Soul range with three petrol and three diesel models on offer. At entry level and accompanying the START diesel is a petrol version, also featuring a 1 600cc motor producing 91 kW and a mere 151 N.m of torque – this model does however come with the option of an automatic gearbox for R13 000.

If you fancy a little more spec for your Soul, then the STREET option could be something to look at. It features such things as glovebox cooling, a Smart Key with push button start, leather upholstery, Electronic Stability Control, Brake Assist, Hill-start Assist Control and Vehicle Stability Management. Further to this, the STREET models are also available with a 2.0-litre petrol engine providing a decent 116 kW and 192 N.m.

If you really want to push the boat out, KIA have the top of the range SMART models on offer. Park Distance Control, HID Headlamps and LED daytime running lights, Cruise Control and electric seats are some of the fancy extras one can have.

An automatic gearbox is also as standard on both the 2.0-litre petrol and 1.6-litre diesel engines in the SMART range. The diesel engine also has an increased power output of 100 kW and 300 N.m thanks to a more capable 7-Speed dual clutch gearbox.

With the top of the range petrol Soul SMART coming in at R391 000, it really is good value for money. We feel that the SMART diesel variant is a little too much, though, at R431 995.